Stamp-handle



Nu. 6|6,500. 7 Patented Dec. 27, I898. E. E. SPENCER.

STAMP HANDLE.

(Application filed Sept. 23, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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Nirn STATES PATENT Orricn.

ELMER E. SPENCER, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

STAMP-HANDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,500, dated December 27, 1898. Application filed September 28, 1897. Serial No. 652,726. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER E. SPENCER, residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Handle, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is in the nature of a handle for stamps to be used for dating or postmarking letters or other analogous purposes.

The object of my invention is to furnish a handle for said stamps which by reason of its elasticity will render the operation of using the stamp much less laborious and will insure a much larger percentage of perfect impressions.

My invention consists in the detailed form and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, and afterward specificallypointed out in the claims.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention most nearly appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, having reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stamp provided with an elastic support and handhold, the stamp being shown in the act of postmarking a letter. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stamp-support and handhold, the former being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the outer end of the stamp-holder, showing the attaching means. Fig. 4 shows modified fastening means.

Like letters of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the different figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by letters, A is a stamp-head such as is usually used in dating or postmarking letters or other mail. projects upward from the stamp-head, passes through a perforation C in the outer end D of a flexible strip or support E, which is provided atits opposite end with a suitable handhold F, said stamp-head being held in position by means of a thumb-nut G, engaging threads on the pin B. In the fastening shown in Fig. d the pin B is provided with a transverse opening and a pin G inserted therein, dispensing with the nut G. Either a nut A or a collar or washer A may be placed on the ApinB pin B between the head A and handle D, as may be desired.

The flexible support and handhold E and F, together with the thickened or rigid end D for receiving the stamp-head, are made of one single piece of tough elastic wood, which, in order to take advantage of its elasticity and toughness, is made with the grain running lengthwise. This leaves the front end, where the stamp-handle is attached, very liable to be split when handling it, and to prevent this I have inserted a small crossbar II, of wood, in a notch in its outer end, with its grain running crosswise of the grain of the handle, said cross-bar being securely glued therein.

The prime object of my invention is to furnish a support and handle for a stamp in which a portion thereof, as at E, hassufiicient elasticity and resiliency to give somewhat when the mail-matter is struck by the stamp, and in carrying out my invention I have found it possible to accomplish this result in several different ways.

To operate my invention, the handhold is grasped at the end, as shown in Fig. 1, and the stamp-head first struck upon the inkingpad and then upon the letters to be postmarked. This operation willbe continuous until all the letters are disposed of.

By reason of the elasticity of the handle the postmarks will be better impressed upon the letter. This is due to the fact that even when the blow is not square and level upon the face of the letter the torsional resiliency of the handle will permit the whole face of the stamp to come in contact with the letter.

While I have illustrated and described the best means now known to me for carrying out my invention, I desire it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact de= tails of construction shown, but hold that any slight changes or variations in such details as would suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic will clearly fall within the limit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- l. A stamp holder or handle consisting of a single piece of tough elastic wood with the grain running lengthwise having its forward and thickened at its outer end D to furnish sufficient material in which to provide an opening 0 through which to pass the attaching-screw of the stamp-head, and slotted across its outer edge for the reception of a stiffening and bracing cross-rod G to be glued therein with its grain running crosswise, substantially as described.

ELMER E. SPENCER. Vitnesses:

ALICE F. SPENCER, JENNIE H. FAIRCHILD. 

